The name Appelton first arose amongst the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is derived from their having lived near an orchard or a homestead where apples were grown. The Old English word for orchard is ęppeltun, which is a compound word formed from ęppel, which means apple, and tun, which means enclosure. The surname may also be derived from residency near the various settlements called Appleton in Cheshire, Kent, and Yorkshire, among other places.

Appelton Early Origins

The surname Appelton was first found in Lancashire at Widness with Appleton, a township, in the parish and union of Prescot, hundred of West Derby. The estate of Widness with Appleton was once held by the family but was lost under tragic circumstances. "Appleton gave name to an ancient family, the last of whom left two children under the guardianship of one Hawarden, who was reported to have murdered them. The estate afterwards belonged to the Gellibrands, who succeeded the Hawardens." [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. Some of the first records of the name include John de Appelton who represented York in the parliament in the reign of Edward II and William Appleton who was sheriff of that city in the reign of James II. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 include: Thomas de Appelton in Oxfordshire; and Wydo de Appelton in Yorkshire. The YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Willelmus de Appilton. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Further north in Scotland, one of the first records there was Robert de Aplinden or Aplintoune in Annandale who forfeited his lands in the reign of Robert Bruce. Later Robert de Aplinton or Appylton had a charter of land in the burgh of Invemys from Robert II in 1378. [4]CITATION[CLOSE]Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

Appelton Spelling Variations

Appelton Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Appelton has appeared include Appleton, Apelton, Apleton, Appletown, Apylton and others.

Appelton Early History

Appelton Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Appelton research. Another 147 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Appelton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Appelton Early Notables (pre 1700)

Appelton Early Notables (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Appelton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Appelton In Ireland

Appelton In Ireland

Some of the Appelton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Appelton arrived in North America very early:

The Appelton Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Appelton Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.